Automatic danger-signal for railways.



L. U. MOADAMS & G. S. ROBINSON. AUTOMATIC DANGER SIGNAL FOR. RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14. 1911. RENEWED MAR. 25, 1914.

Patented 0011211914.

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L. G. MGADAMS & G. S. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC DANGER SIGNAL FOB. RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG, 14. 1911. RENEWED MAR. 25, 1914.

1, 1 1 3,455. Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

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- UNITED STATES PATENT orrIoE. A

LEWIS C. MGADAMS AND GEORGE S. ROBIII SON, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA; SAID ROBINSON ASSIGNOR TO DAVID CARPENTER, OF LOS A NGELES, CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC DANGER-SIGNAL FOR B-AHIWAYS.

PatentedOct. 13,1914.

Application filed August 14, 1911, Serial No. 644,050. Renewed March 25, 1914. Serial No. 827,052.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, Lnwrs CLARK Mo- ADAMS and Gnonen S. ROBINSON, citizens of i the United States, and residents of the city a specification.

Our invention pertainsto signals for railways, and 1t has speclal reference to danger slgnals for railway crossings of the class wherein the train itself mechanically operates the signaling device.

The object is to provide a simple and efficient signaling mechanism which can be readily attached to tracks at crossings, and when onceinstalled will not get out of order, as will now be set forth in detail.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation of the track shoe which operates the signaling mechanism. Fig. 2 is a cross section of the rail showing the shoe in position. Fig. 3 is a top view of the shoe. Fig. 4: is a top or plan view of a railway track showing the signal mechanism in position, and Fig. 5 is a side view of the track and signal post.

In constructing our invention we provide a shoe which comprises a base member 6, hinged at one end, as at 7, either to the tie 8, or to a suitable base alongside one of the rails 9. The other end of this base member is held in such a position by a bracket 10, that the member has a limited vertical move ment, and it is provided with a downwardlyprojecting arm 11 to which the operating cable 12 is attache this cable extending upwardly and over a grooved pulley 13, alongside the rail 9.

The upper edge of the base number 6 has integral therewith hinge ears 14:, to receive the ears 15, of an upper member 16, this up per member having an inclined tread surface 17 which is in such a position that the wheel 18 of the car will engage therewith and thus depress the free end of the two members 6, 16.

The tread 17, has one of its ends cut away atan angle, as shown at 19, this cut-away portion being at the free end of the members, and at the end opposite to the inclined portion, so that the wheel in traveling along will gradually depress the members, when going in one direction, but in traveling the opposite direction the side of the wheel will strike the inclined surface 19, andthus tilt the upper member 16, without depressing their free ends. p 1

In order to cause the upper member to normallyrest alongside of the rail a pair of flat spr ngs 20, are secured at their lower ends tothe base member 6, so that their upper ends bear against the outer surface of the upper member, as shown in Fig. 1.

In practice two of these shoes are placed alongside of the track, one on each side of the crossing, and at any desired distance therefrom, each shoe being so disposed that it will be depressed when a car moves in one direction, but will not be depressed when the car moves in the opposite direction as stated.

Midway between the cables is a grooved pulley 21, secured to a vertical pivot pin, and at a suitable pointout from the rail way track at each side is a post 22, having on each side thereof, in line with each edge of'the grooved pulley 21, a pulley 23, these latter pulleys being on horizontal pivot pins.

At the upper endof each post is a grooved pulley 2 1, which carries an arm 25, on which is a signal flag, or other means of attraction, and which when in operation is swung down to altgtract those who are about to cross the trac l for signaling, a light may be displayed by the same mechanism, or a bell set in motion, or all these adjuncts may be in connection with the signal flag, or semaphore, used on the post.

It is obvious that the device may be equipped on a double track as well as on a single track, so that as a train approaches the crossing the signal is displayed before the-train arrives at the crossing, and the secz I I Instead of employing mechanical means 0nd shoe beyond the crossing will restore the signal to its normal position.

What'we claim as new is 1. In a danger signal, a railway track having alongside one rail thereof a shoe, comprising two horizontal members, the lower member thereof hinged at one end, so that the other end is capable of moving vertically, the upper member having an inclined tread normally above the tread of the rail, and hinged to the lower member on a horizontal line, the elevated end of said upper member having a cut-away angle,.where-.

above the tread of the rail, and with means for cooperating with the wheel to swing the upper member away from the rail, and a signal or semaphore connected up with and operated by the said shoe.

3. In a danger signal, a railway track having alongside one rail thereof, a horizontally disposed shoe, comprising two members,

the lower member hinged at one end, and the other free end secured behind a bracket so that it has a limited vertical movement, an upper member hinged to said lower member on a horizontal line, provided with an inclined top or tread, an angled or cut-away portion at one end of said upper member to provide a contact surface for the side of the car wheel, and a pair of springs secured to the lower member and bearing against the upper member to normally keep the said member in a vertical position.

Signed at the city and county of Los Angeles, State of California, this 8th day of in the presence of witnesses. LEWIS G. MCADAMS. GEORGE S. ROBINSON. Witnesses:

J. B. ZERKE,

ROBERT H. BROWN.

August, 1911,

Copies of this patent may be obtainedfor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. Y 

